Southport Performing Arts Conservatory Expands to Include Downtown Location in Historic Fine Arts Building October 1st

Posted by alouisehost, Community Contributor

The Southport Performing Arts Conservatory (SPACE) opens their third location October 1, 2013, in Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building located at 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Third Floor. The downtown location, which includes three dance studios, a music room and administrative facilities, allows SPACE to expand their educational offerings from music, dance and the dramatic arts to include “Spectrum” classes for special needs children as well as instruction in the visual arts. Additionally the new facility allows SPACE to develop a competitive dance ensemble.

SPACE will celebrate the opening of their new, downtown location by holding an open house from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2013. Parents and potential students will be able to sample children’s classes in music, dance, drama and visual arts and have the opportunity to meet some of SPACE’s faculty members. Additionally, all scheduled dance classes during the first week of October will be offered free of charge.

SPACE’s newest facility is aided by the establishment of the new American Rhythm Center (ARC), a collaborative effort to foster community growth through rhythmic expression while offering diverse, high-quality dance and movement classes to the general public while centralizing educational programs, rehearsal and administrative offices of several core groups and emerging companies and independent artists.

“We are honored to be affiliated with the American Rhythm Center and are looking forward to creating new and productive collaborative relationships with other members of the arts community,” said Altin Naska, co-founder of SPACE and the organization’s artistic director of its dance programs. “This is a terrific opportunity for our organization to work with young people in the downtown area while also expanding our programs to include visual arts and educational opportunities to empower children with special needs.”

The downtown location as part of the American Rhythm Center gives SPACE a total of three locations in the Chicago area. Other locations include a studio in Lakeview and SPACE’s main location on Peterson Ave.

New to SPACE is the “Spectrum” program which serves students with a variety of special needs, behavioral challenges and differing abilities. Led by a certified “Spectrum” educator experienced in special education, these programs provide education and empowerment for students with autism, Asperger’s, emotional disturbance, physical challenges, behavioral disorders and developmental delays.

Additionally SPACE will develop a competitive dance ensemble, the SPACE Dance Ensemble, designed for young and passionate dancers who wish to take their performing and dance abilities to the next level. Slated to compete on a regional and national level, the Ensemble focuses on many dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern and tap and will be overseen by some of Chicago’s top professional choreographers and dance masters.

Auditions for the SPACE Dance Ensemble take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 29, 2013, at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Third Fl. Auditions are open to dancers ages 7-17 who already take two to three days of dance classes. Dancers must commit to weekly company classes and rehearsals every Sunday afternoon between 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. beginning October 6, 2013. For more information visit www.southportarts.com or call 773-463-1220.